High School Sports

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville High football program is on the hunt for a new head coach this offseason after the school announced that Anthony Valdivia was relieved of his duties. Watsonville High Assistant Principal Joe Gregorio said it ultimately came down to a personnel issue. “As a district...

The confidence meter continues to grow for St. Francis after winning a fifth consecutive match Thursday night. In a clean sweep, the Sharks defeated North Salinas in three sets 25-19, 25-16, 27-25 in Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division play.   Senior outside hitter Peyton Orradre...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley High girls’ soccer team got a goal from an unlikely source and stunned Monterey High for its first loss in league action this season Sophomore Heidy Cadenas came off the bench to score the game-deciding goal for the Grizzlies in their 2-1...

CASTROVILLE—The football season hasn’t gone quite as planned for North Monterey County High first-year head coach Juan Cuevas.  He knew there would be some growing pains and a lot of bumps in the road, including some tough losses. Cuevas said once teams begin to start losing...

The Pajaronian’s Prep Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Aug. 25-31. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit nominations to sports editor Juan Reyes at [email protected].  Boys Abraham Martinez (Sr.), Watsonville The Wildcatz senior ran wild for 150...

WATSONVILLE—It was a memorable campaign for St. Francis High alumnus Saul Noel Aquino who closed out his senior year as a champion, while also earning a couple of accolades along the way.  The standout student-athlete was named the Most Valuable Player in the Pacific Coast...

The Pajaro Valley High girls’ soccer team was one of the hottest groups towards the end of the season that was primarily led by a group of young, hungry players. Jocelyn Llamas, Valeria Acosta and Karla Leyva were recognized last week by the coaches within...

Watsonville junior Max Aceves had a team-best 21 points for the Wildcatz boys’ basketball team in its 63-52 win over Salinas in non-league action Tuesday evening.  “It was our teamwork, we have good chemistry,” he said. “We also went over plays. They put confidence in...

St. Francis senior Nash Horton has been serving up double-doubles on the basketball court this 2024-25 winter campaign like he was part owner of an In-N-Out franchise. The standout guard recorded his 14th double-double this season with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the Sharks’...

APTOS—The Covid-19 pandemic took another jab at local prep sports after Aptos High Athletics Director Travis Fox announced that all indoor activities, home and away, are postponed for the remainder of the week.  Fox said Wednesday afternoon that Mariners’ student-athletes will have to be sidelined...